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Development and validation of the pandemic fatigue scale
Lau Lilleholt1,2,3, Ingo Zettler4,5, Cornelia Betsch6,7
1Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark. llj@psy.ku.dk.
Nature Communications
|October 10, 2023
Summary
Pandemic fatigue, a weariness with health behaviors, exists and impacts adherence. This study introduces a scale to measure it and demonstrates its negative effects on following public health guidance during pandemics.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Pandemic fatigue, characterized by exhaustion and demotivation towards health behaviors, has been a debated phenomenon.
- Understanding pandemic fatigue is crucial for maintaining public health compliance during prolonged health crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate the Pandemic Fatigue Scale.
- To investigate the evolution and correlates of pandemic fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To examine the psychological and behavioral impact of pandemic fatigue on adherence to health recommendations.
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of the Pandemic Fatigue Scale.
- Analysis of large-scale survey data from Denmark and Germany (N=34,582) tracking pandemic fatigue over time.
- Online experiment (N=1584) to assess the motivational impact of pandemic fatigue.
Main Results:
- Pandemic fatigue was observed to evolve during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Higher levels of pandemic fatigue were negatively associated with self-reported adherence to health behaviors.
- Experimental manipulation confirmed that pandemic fatigue reduces the intention to follow health guidelines.
Conclusions:
- The study provides empirical evidence for the existence of pandemic fatigue.
- Pandemic fatigue is linked to reduced adherence to health-protective behaviors.
- Findings highlight the psychological and behavioral consequences of pandemic fatigue, informing public health strategies.
